Friday, May 31, 2013
Subject: World No Tobacco Day
Subject: World No Tobacco Day
Today is “World
No Tobacco Day”, a day meant to encourage a 24-hour period away from all
forms of tobacco consumption. Did you know that nicotine, the drug found in
both cigarettes and tobacco chew products, is the most addictive drug on the
market, and that the average cost for a pack of 20 cigarettes is $5.51?
Since the average smoker smokes 10 cigarettes a day, if a person smoked
consistently for 10 years they would have spent at least $10,000 just to buy
cigarettes!
There are
resources out there to help people who are interested in quitting. The American
Cancer Society has a toll-free hotline that can provide local support group
information as well as entry into their phone-based coaching service, the Quit
for Life program. This program pairs a participant up with a “Quit Coach” who
helps them develop a “Quit Plan”, gives ongoing support, and provides guidance
in choosing medicines and where to find them for free or low cost. The number
is 1-800-277-2345. The American Lung Association also has a toll free hotline
where someone can talk to nurses, respiratory therapists, and trained smoking
cessation counselors. They can be reached at 1-800-586-4872. Again those
numbers are 1-800-277-2345 and 1-800-586-4872.
Other great
resources can be found at www.smokefree.gov/.
This website offers many tools to help individuals quit, including a new
program called SmokefreeTXT. This program was created to provide 24/7
encouragement, advice, and tips to help smokers stop smoking for good. Check
out the website to learn more.
Take good
care out there!
